Access Hollywood spoke with ‘American Idol’ judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson about the hit show. Asked if she really did hire a comedy writer, Paula Abdul says she knew a comedian who gave her one joke, but that was it. As for the near fight Simon and Randy had, Mr. Nasty commented, “He looked in my eyes and thought, ‘I don’t want to take this guy out.’ He came to my dressing room scratching like a puppy wanting to apologize.”

Celebrities Including Ice T Opine On ‘American Idol’

August 20, 2002 – Rapper actor Ice T is amongst the celebrity judges recruited by Extra TV to weigh in on ‘American Idol’ and who they think might win. Ice T picked Justin Guarini but said, “Justin, get him out of my face. I can’t stand his hair and I don’t want to see any more of his shirts.” Meanwhile, Gloria Gaynor likes Tamyra Gray, and Lorna Luft picks Kelly Clarkson. Video has been removed.

Ryan Seacrest On KTLA

August 20, 2002 – Ryan Seacrest, host of ‘American Idol’ stopped by KTLA to talk about the hit reality show on Tuesday (August 20). Ryan compared his co-host Brian Dunkelman to Carson Daly, and the KTLA host compared Ryan to Kermit the Frog. The also quized Ryan on his still being single. Ryan talked about the remaining contestants and whether he thinks they’ll have much of a career after the show. Video has since been removed.

‘American Idol’ To Fight Back Against Phone Slammers

August 20, 2002 – The New York Post reports the producers of ‘American Idol’ and Fox are monitoring the “phone slammers” trying to sway the outcome of the show – and will take action if the callers have an impact on the show. An insider said, “They’ve been monitoring it and obviously they will get involved if it’s somehow affecting the vote.”

Paula Abdul Most Searched ‘American Idol’ Judge/Host

August 12, 2002 – We ran down the guys and gals of ‘American Idol’, now we’ll look at the judges and hosts search engine interest. Paula Abdul leads the pack in searches on pay-per search engine Overture.com during the month of July, getting 27,398 searches, easily enough to beat out Simon Cowell who had 10,582 searches. Randy Jackson was the least searched for judge with 2,521 queries, getting fewer votes than show host Ryan Seacrest, but more queries with 4,410 than the other host Brian Dunkleman, who was the least searched of the five at 659 queries.

Paula Admits She & Simon Were Reprimanded For Bickering

August 9, 2002 – Entertainment Tonight quizzed ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul on whether reports that the bickering between her and Simon Cowell got so out of hand that an executive producer reprimanding both of them were true. “Actually, that did happen, it did happen, pretty funny though because I sat in the room — well, I beg of you guys to watch every single show,” she shared. “I made a promise to myself I would never initiate or provoke anyone so you’re talking to the wrong person here.”

Paula Abdul Hires Joke Writer To Battle Simon Cowell

August 5, 2002 – Billy Masters of Filth2go.com weighed in on ‘American Idol’ in his column today. Billy says sources at Fox tell him that Paula Abdul has resorted to hiring a joke writer for her “witty quips” to Simon. Billy has switched his prediction of a winner from RJ Helton to Tamyra Gray, though he’d love to see Kelly Clarkson win.